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Pop Century, Pachyderms and a Proposal - May 2011 Trip Report

Hello fellow Disney lovers!
After years of lurking and randomly posting here and there on these boards...I figured it was time to write a trip report. This is my second attempt at writing a TR - my first came to a stop when my computer crashed and I lost a bunch of pictures. But I vow to finish this one! (Hell, I'm only starting it 4 months late - I've had enough prep time!) I was really on the fence about writing one but it seemed Holly (Hollybelle) nudged (more like pushed) me over the edge. :lol: So here I am. And who am I?

I'm Jess.

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23 year old self proclaimed Disney expert. This is my 7th trip…about 6th since I’ve been obsessed. My first trip in 1997 – First ride was Honey I Shrunk the Audience. Absolutely terrified me. I was scarred for the rest of the trip, scared to ride almost every ride. I was scared to ride Peter Pan’s Flight…no joke. My parents are still shocked that I now adore the place. The only ride I can remember riding and not being scared of was Spaceship Earth. Therefore I felt incredibly brave for riding the slow moving journey through time and rode it many times and this ride is still my favorite ride in all of Disney. So Spaceship Earth not only signifies my bravery but now it just SCREAMS “you’re at Disney World” to me. The sight of the mural paired with that SSE smell…gives me that feeling of “yep, you’re in Disney…feel free to tear up a bit.” And I usually do.

Anyway…traveling with me on this trip is my boyfriend(?) of 3 ½ years Bill.

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25 year old medical student, avid Haunted Mansion fan and tolerater of my Disney obsession. This is Bill’s 5th trip to the World…1st being with his high school class, the subsequent 3 being with yours truly. His 1st trip – he was not impressed (clearly he hadn’t met the right girl yet). Even after his 2nd trip he was not convinced. But the 3rd trip did the trick. He is still not obsessed to the point of posting on a Disney forum but he is hooked. Just thinking about how much he brags about how clean Disney is and how good the food is and how amazing everything is just brings a tear to my eye. He bragged about it so much to his family that joining us on this trip are….

Bill’s sister Samantha and her boyfriend Anthony.

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This will be both of their 2nd trips. Both of their trips were (separately) when they were in high school or middle school. Both were coming to Disney with one thing on their minds – FOOD. We had the dining plan on our last trip (free dining pin) and we got the pin again and Bill was bragging about the fantastic food we have encountered on our previous trips. Both were excited to stuff themselves full. (spoiler alert - mission accomplished)

This trip took place from May 17th – 24th. We were on the basic dining plan. And we were staying at the gorgeous, extravagant, larger than life, everyone’s favorite resort…you know it, you love it…starts with a P….O….takes you to a place you’ve never been. Say ‘Aloha’ to….

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POP CENTURY!!! Where else? :lookaroun We are avid Pop fans because we spend little time at the resort and can’t really justify shelling out the bucks for a place to sleep and shower.

So let’s get on with the show, shall we?

Monday May 16th“Do I really have to go to work today? Don’t they know I need to prepare for Disney tomorrow?”

Early morning work meetings are like getting jammed at the end of PoTC by the treasure room – always longer than expected. After listening to my boss and clients talk about something that was not Disney and therefore not interesting…I headed home to finish packing. Bill had just finished his first round of medical school boards (tests) so he was relaxing at home…leisurely packing. We finished up and headed to his parents house who live about 30 minutes away from the airport. We had a nice dinner with his parents and other siblings celebrating Bill being done with his boards. Then after a trip to the bar to REALLY celebrate…I put myself to bed for we had to get up early for our 7:50 flight.

Tuesday May 17th“Yes I do plan to ride SSE again and again…”
The alarm at 4 came quite quickly and we were showered and ready to hit the airport. We arrived without problem and got in line for TSA. And walking to the back of the line we spotted this man in line…

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(we didn't take a pic of him - too star struck - so this is from the internet)

Yes that is hockey legend Mario Lemieux. Former player and current owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Yeah…he’s kind of a big deal. So after our first (and only…unless you count Mickey Mouse…which, who am I kidding? You do.) celebrity sighting we headed through TSA. Samantha and Anthony were selected for body scans – Bill and I were not. True of our flight back to Pittsburgh as well. BUT who cares about heading back to Pittsburgh…we’re on our way to (as John would say) Walt F’in Disney World! We stopped for a delicious McDonalds breakfast before boarding our flight.

Flight was a bit bumpy – Samantha was not impressed, actually feeling rather sick from the bumps. When we landed the pilot informed us it was 70 degrees and sunny in Orlando, as well as 55 degrees and rainy in Pittsburgh. That’s what I love to hear! We got off the plane and bolted for Magical Express. This is when Anthony commented that all he saw through MCO was the back of my head as I was pretty much sprinting through the airport.

We’ve got places to go…Magical Expresses to catch. We walked through DME without problems and got the next bus that came. On the bus and off The Most Magical Place on Earth!!!!

We got to POP a little after 11 and our rooms were not ready. So after a quick change and checking our carry ons with the baggage people...we were heading out to the parks.

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plaz10

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Just to compare...our last trip (May 2010) the 'Catch of the Day' was Swordfish.

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It was one of the best things I've ever eaten. Bill ordered it...but I ended up stealing about 3/4 of it because it was beyond delicious. Both of us could not stop raving about it...we even contemplated making a bunch of ADRs for there and just calling ahead to see if swordfish was the COTD. We didn't...but wish we would have.

The catch of the day was...well I don't remember the name of the fish but our waitress (who was awful) told us it was "like swordfish" and while the lobster ravioli looked tempting, I didn't want to make the same mistake again and miss out on something delicious. So Bill, Anthony and I all ordered the catch of the day.

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It was not good at all. No flavor. Mine had bone pieces in it. Gross. Very bland, very gross. Barely ate any of it. WASTE.
Our server was really terrible. She was like “Let me know when you guys know what you want.” Huh? We’re not going to hunt you down when we’re ready to order. Anyway…Samantha got the chicken.

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She said it was decent. Pretty flavorless but edible. Unlike my fish.

For dessert was chocolate wave, key lime tort, jack daniels mousse and cheesecake I think.

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chocolate wave

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jack daniels mousse

the pic of the key lime tort and cheesecake barely came out so I'll spare you.

None of them were memorable either. This was the biggest disappointment in terms of meals as we loved our meal here last trip. I had to drown my sorrows in World Showcase treats. So off to the Japan to do some shopping and snacking!

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plaz10

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
And then...an unexpected surprise....









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WOAH! that was not the treat you were expecting! Haha we saw this nice sight in the Japanese pavilion. Lovely.

We found our way to Germany for some sweet treats from the new caramel kitchen. Vanilla Cupcake, Fresh warm caramel corn and the chocolate caramel cookie.

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Samantha was not a big fan of the cupcake but everyone loved the caramel corn and the cookie. The caramel corn was fresh and warm too! We watched Illuminations from various countries as we headed out of World Showcase. Stopped to check out the Soarin’ line – too long so we rode Living w/the Land. Then to Mission:Space and Test Track single rider line. The humidity was still going strong and the parks were a bit crowded. I myself was in a y mood as I thought we should have left EPCOT after dinner to go to DHS to finish some stuff there we had not done. We decided it was best to go back as everyone seemed on edge, especially me. But we had to ride SSE first of course.

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After the ride Samantha suggested we take some pics in front of SSE as it’s so pretty at night. I won’t say no to that, it’s my favorite ride!

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All this time taking these pictures...I never once questioned WHY we were taking so many SSE pictures.
 

plaz10

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
After all these pics…Bill pulled me in close and said “I have a question for you.”

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Me…thinking he was kidding said “Yes Bill…I will go home with you tonight.”

“No..I’m serious.”

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“What?”

“Will you marry me?”

“Of course I’d marry you if you were being serious!”

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Ok…he’s serious!

After some mushy gushy talk…it was official! We were engaged!!

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I had some idea that this would happen on this trip…but when it didn’t happen on the first day, I had written off the idea. We had a tentative trip planned for later in the year so I just assumed he was waiting until that trip. So I was crazy surprised when he did it! I definitely did not expect it after a long day!

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This is where we remember that picture from earlier in the day when I looked cute. (hair down, make up on) Compared to the sweaty, hair pulled up, end of the day look.

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I love my fiancé but come on baby couldn’t you have done it earlier when we were in the exact same spot and I looked way cuter? Ugh, men! So we called our families (the only people who knew were my dad and his mom…yes he asked for permission!) and headed back to Pop. Samantha and Anthony stopped by the food court to buy us some champagne! So we boozed it up outside of Pop before going to bed. Minus the bad meal at Coral Reef – it was the PERFECT day! EPCOT and a proposal from the love of my life? Pinch me, I’m dreaming!

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Up Next: Showing off the bling all over the Magic King…..dom.
 

PartOfYourWorld

Well-Known Member
Congratulations!!!! The ring is beautiful!!!! (But men..they don't think sometimes :lol:) But that is still the best!!! Can't wait to hear the rest!
 

mamamouse

Well-Known Member
YAY,love that he asked permission,I hope that happens when my girls are old enough(not that they need it but it shows respect) and major awe points to him for popping the question in such a meaning full spot to you,I love that !!!!CONGRATS:sohappy:...........n omg holy butt hangin out LOL
 

HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member

I was trying to figure out- is that a plane skywriting in the background of this pic? Just curious.

OK- going to have to go over all of your pics of food right now since I'm about to work on a cake. Need reminders of super yummy food!!! (not that the cake won't be super yummy- I just don't want to eat it all LOL).

And of course a HUGE Congrats!!!!!!!!!! :sohappy: Too funny about the timing- i.e. end of the day after you've been walking around in the heat. But still- how amazing to have SSE lit up at night behind you as your engagement backdrop! Can't wait to read more!!! :wave:
 

popsicletrees

Well-Known Member
Congratulations! It was so sweet that Bill proposed right outside of the place that is Disney for you! Attention to detail - very nice. Beautiful solitaire! Can't wait to read more!
 

HollyBelle

Well-Known Member
Hoooooray! A proposal! Can I just say that I love how Bill proposed to you in the place that really means "Disney" to you? He gets points for that, even if he did wait until the 11th hour. :lol: Princess cut solitaire for the win!!! Love it. :animwink: :D
 

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